Madrid 2015: May 7th WTA Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD These are a bit later than usual, but I am under the weather. Manolo Santana (11 a.m. start) [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs [5] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) – Already in progress so no prediction [1] Serena Williams (USA) vs [10] Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) – This match should be a good measuring…

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Masters Madrid 2015: May 6th ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD (This is an incredible slate of matches) [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Steve Johnson (USA) H2H – Johnson is a great story, but not every story has a happy ending. [1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS) – I could see this going either way as Roger may be pacing himself for Paris….

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Madrid 2015: May 6th WTA Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs Caroline Garcia (FRA) – Sharapova is likely to win on what seems to be her best surface. Wrong Surface I know  [1] Serena Williams (USA) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – For a second consecutive match, Serena finds herself benefiting from playing on clay.  Serena adapts to dirt…

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Masters Madrid 2015: May 5th ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) H2H – GGL picked up a title recently.  He has far less firepower than Hot Sauce, but I think GGL is steady enough to navigate this match. Jack Sock (USA) vs [WC] Pablo Andujar (ESP) H2H – A hard call as Sock did win Houston, but I…

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Madrid 2015: May 5th WTA Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [4] Petra Kvitova (CZE) vs CoCo Vandeweghe (USA) – I am tempted to call an upset here.  Kvitova’s health is a mystery.  Still, I think Kvitova is slightly favored here as her talent is undeniable. [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs [Q] Mariana Duque-Mariño (COL) – Maria is heavily favored here. [10]…

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Is Tennis More Physical Than Ever?

Prologue: History in Flux A lot of record breaking events have come in tennis ever since Andre Agassi won his Career Grand Slam in 1999 and Pete Sampras won his then record 13th Grand Slam singles title in 2000.  Sampras of course took a 14th major in 2002.  Since then, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and…

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Masters Madrid 2015: May 4 ATP Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD [11] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) vs Benjamin Becker (GER) H2H – It is pretty amazing Becker is still out there given that his biggest moment came at the 2005 US Open.  On clay, Becker might even have a look at an upset vs. FLo.  Still, Lopez is playing the best tennis of his career, and…

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Madrid 2015: May 4 WTA Predictions

Predicted Winners in BOLD Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) – Kuzy is a tricky veteran who can win big on clay. At this stage of each of their careers, Muguruza should win, but will playing in Madrid inspire her or make her nervous.  If she feels pressure to perform well in Spain, my pick…

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Istanbul 2015: Federer vs. Cuevas Prediction

Roger Federer vs. Pablo Cuevas The first meeting between these two comes in the first ever Istanbul final.  Cuevas has reached 3 clay court finals in the past 2 seasons.  He took a title earlier this year in Sao Paulo.  He also just soundly beat Grigor Dimitrov who provides ideal sparring prior to facing Federer….

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Estoril 2015: Gasquet vs. Kyrgios Prediction

Nick Kyrgios vs. Richard Gasquet H2H These two have played twice with Gasquet winning a one-sided match on clay and Kyrgios winning a 5 set classic at Wimbledon 2014.  Gasquet has an experience advantage as Kyrgios is playing in his first tournament final.  Gasquet holds 11 career titles.  Everything on paper suggests Gasquet may clip…

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